A simple one-pot three-component reaction for preparation of secondary amines and amino esters mediated by lithium perchlorate

The one-pot synthesis of several secondary amines and secondary amino esters are reported. Treatment of aldehydes (aliphatic or aromatic) with (trimethylsilyl)alkylamines, in the presence of 5 M lithium perchlorate in diethyl ether gives intermediate imines. Reaction of these intermediate imines with different nucleophiles and functionalized organozinc reagents, BrZnCH2COOR, produce a variety of secondary amines and N-alkyl- or N-arylamino esters in good yields.